Bath Rugby Foundation (BRF) has been working with 12 pupils from St Michael’s Junior School who suffered from low-confidence, resilience and lacked the ability to express their opinion within their classroom and school environment, using a project called Raising the Game – Primary (RTGP), an educational, skill development, mentoring and intervention programme that focuses on children and young people within Primary Schools throughout BANES.
“BRF coaches identified the group’s interests, tailored activities to this and ensured tasks were achievable for all,” said St Michael’s School Year 4 teacher, Mr Durrant. ‘This approach allowed all pupils to experience success and build confidence within themselves, which as a knock-on effect encouraged them to be more proactive in engaging in more challenging tasks and activities.
“Throughout the delivery of the programme, BRF have had very close contact with the behaviour lead and head of the school which has allowed any pupil concerns to be raised. This action helped build a trusting relationship with the pupils because they felt that they were cared about and actively supported throughout the programme and within school.
“In addition, BRF coaches identified an increase in confidence amongst the group because of added competition incentives and offered responsibility. This boost in confidence saw pupils have more willingness to take part in tasks and activities which meant that they could engage in these more efficiently and be successful in achieving goals set. For example, a young person began the programme with no confidence and didn’t feel confident talking in a group. However, come the end, this young person is always proactive in taking on responsibility within a group to be a leader and support others.
“All children in Bath Rugby’s ‘Raising the Game’ sessions have shown positive upturns in behaviour throughout the academic year. The improved resilience, patience and ability to regulate their own emotions has been particularly important due to the inconsistency in routine we’ve had this year.”